The "Save BBG\'s Soul" Thread

[Genevieve]

RE: Divine Plan - Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (New Living Translation)

If God has a divine plan for everyone, then why bother praying? He already has everything planned out.

You talk to your wife, don't you? And your mother? Why wouldn't you talk to God (if you believed)? That's all prayer is...talking to Someone you love and trust.

That is a beautiful answer, and I would add just a few things. God loves us beyond anything we can imagine, and He wants to be with us and spend time with and talk to us and hear us talking to him, to befriend us.

Also, God knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will ever happen, and they are all taking place at the same time for Him. We experience time in a linear way, differently from God. If we ask for something in prayer, and it happens in what we think of as the future, that is only because of our limitations. In this way, He responds to our prayers even in His omniscience.

 

[mei lan]

RE: Divine Plan - Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (New Living Translation)

If God has a divine plan for everyone, then why bother praying? He already has everything planned out.

You talk to your wife, don't you? And your mother? Why wouldn't you talk to God (if you believed)? That's all prayer is...talking to Someone you love and trust.

That is a beautiful answer, and I would add just a few things. God loves us beyond anything we can imagine, and He wants to be with us and spend time with and talk to us and hear us talking to him, to befriend us.

Also, God knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will ever happen, and they are all taking place at the same time for Him. We experience time in a linear way, differently from God. If we ask for something in prayer, and it happens in what we think of as the future, that is only because of our limitations. In this way, He responds to our prayers even in His omniscience.

WHOA. Way better answer than my pitiful attempt. :bowingtoyourawesomeness:

 

[mei lan]

Just to chime in here...

A lot of people try to use science to disprove the Bible and vice-versa. I do neither. I am a Christian, and I am a man of science.

One saying I like..."Science tells us how and the Bible tells us Why"

I like that!!

Ooh, ooh!!! A positive response!

 

[BeatBoxinGranny47]

RE: Divine Plan - Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (New Living Translation)

If God has a divine plan for everyone, then why bother praying? He already has everything planned out.

You talk to your wife, don't you? And your mother? Why wouldn't you talk to God (if you believed)? That's all prayer is...talking to Someone you love and trust.

That is a beautiful answer, and I would add just a few things. God loves us beyond anything we can imagine, and He wants to be with us and spend time with and talk to us and hear us talking to him, to befriend us.

Also, God knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will ever happen, and they are all taking place at the same time for Him. We experience time in a linear way, differently from God. If we ask for something in prayer, and it happens in what we think of as the future, that is only because of our limitations. In this way, He responds to our prayers even in His omniscience.

Yeah, but I would never ask God to bring me a beer, or how his day was or ask "Why the hell are you still in pajamas!?!?!? Its 2pm!!!''. Talking and praying for something are different.

 

[Genevieve]

Just to chime in here...

A lot of people try to use science to disprove the Bible and vice-versa. I do neither. I am a Christian, and I am a man of science.

One saying I like..."Science tells us how and the Bible tells us Why"

I like that!!

Me, too! Faith and reason are different from each other yet can strengthen each other.

 

[I'm Floored]

RE: Divine Plan - Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (New Living Translation)

If God has a divine plan for everyone, then why bother praying? He already has everything planned out.

You talk to your wife, don't you? And your mother? Why wouldn't you talk to God (if you believed)? That's all prayer is...talking to Someone you love and trust.

No no no. Just talking is something completely different than praying. Praying is asking for something, "Cure this person", "Bless this person", "Help me find a new job". Why ask for these things if God has it all planned out for you already?

One reason is it demonstrates our faith and trust in Him. It also builds our faith. When harder and trying times and circumstances come our way, we hit our knees knowing that He has answered our prayers in the past, and that He will again!

 

[BeatBoxinGranny47]

Just to chime in here...

A lot of people try to use science to disprove the Bible and vice-versa. I do neither. I am a Christian, and I am a man of science.

One saying I like..."Science tells us how and the Bible tells us Why"

I like that!!

Ooh, ooh!!! A positive response!

What if I pray for something and I dont get it?

 

[I'm Floored]

Just to chime in here...

A lot of people try to use science to disprove the Bible and vice-versa. I do neither. I am a Christian, and I am a man of science.

One saying I like..."Science tells us how and the Bible tells us Why"

I like that!!

Ooh, ooh!!! A positive response!

What if I pray for something and I dont get it?

It means that God has a different plan than what you asked for.

Scripture says "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Many people believe that means that God gives you what you want. Sometimes He does.

I've learned that more often than not, by praying to God (and listening to Him) He will teach your heart what to desire.

 

[BeatBoxinGranny47]

So, if I dont get what I pray for, its "Gods Will"?

 

[Genevieve]

RE: Divine Plan - Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (New Living Translation)

If God has a divine plan for everyone, then why bother praying? He already has everything planned out.

You talk to your wife, don't you? And your mother? Why wouldn't you talk to God (if you believed)? That's all prayer is...talking to Someone you love and trust.

That is a beautiful answer, and I would add just a few things. God loves us beyond anything we can imagine, and He wants to be with us and spend time with and talk to us and hear us talking to him, to befriend us.

Also, God knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will ever happen, and they are all taking place at the same time for Him. We experience time in a linear way, differently from God. If we ask for something in prayer, and it happens in what we think of as the future, that is only because of our limitations. In this way, He responds to our prayers even in His omniscience.

Yeah, but I would never ask God to bring me a beer, or how his day was or ask "Why the hell are you still in pajamas!?!?!? Its 2pm!!!''. Talking and praying for something are different.

You are so funny, BBG.

I know it's a serious question, though, and a serious answer might come from St. John of the Cross, in his book, "The Ascent of Mt. Carmel." He talks about how God's thoughts are so far above our thoughts that we cannot speak in that kind of intimate friendship until we allow Him to change and purify us--something God wants more than we could ever want. Monks spend their whole lives turning from evil, pursuing virtue, and drawing toward this intimacy with God, Divine Union.

The rest of us see glimpses of it as we do our earthly duties with a pure heart.

 

[Genevieve]

So, if I dont get what I pray for, its "Gods Will"?

Yes.

 

[BeatBoxinGranny47]

So, if I dont get what I pray for, its "Gods Will"?

Yes.

"Fine, but if it gods will and he's going to do whatever he wants to anyway; why bother praying in the first place? Seems like a big waste of time to me. Couldn't you just skip the praying part and get right to his will?"

 

[I'm Floored]

So, if I dont get what I pray for, its "Gods Will"?

I hope I can explain this so that it makes sense. The overall answer is YES. However, we have to realize that God wants His purpose fulfilled....to be glorified. That often happens in ways that don't make sense to us. (His ways are not our ways.)

God's viewpoint is eternal. Ours is not.

When we pray for a dear friend or family member to be healed from cancer or recover from a tragic automobile accident, it's hard to understand how a loving God who cares about us all could allow those prayers to go "unanswered." But remember, God sees things eternally. When a dear family member passes this life to eternity, God knows that they are still alive. He knows that those of us left behind will one day (although many years may pass, but eternally in only the blink of an eye) be reunited with that loved one. He also knows about the emergency technician who is lost and doesn't know Him as a personal Savior that will see this loved one and the ways his death may affect the tech's heart and life - eternally. It could be a man who abuses his wife and children or who has a secret destructive addiction, whose life is radically changed by what he sees in the faith of that family.

The possibilities are endless, but it's about the ETERNAL. And God's ultimate purpose...His glory!

 

[kittycat]

RE: Divine Plan - Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (New Living Translation)

If God has a divine plan for everyone, then why bother praying? He already has everything planned out.

You talk to your wife, don't you? And your mother? Why wouldn't you talk to God (if you believed)? That's all prayer is...talking to Someone you love and trust.

No no no. Just talking is something completely different than praying. Praying is asking for something, "Cure this person", "Bless this person", "Help me find a new job". Why ask for these things if God has it all planned out for you already?

 

[BeatBoxinGranny47]

So, if I dont get what I pray for, its "Gods Will"?

I hope I can explain this so that it makes sense. The overall answer is YES. However, we have to realize that God wants His purpose fulfilled....to be glorified. That often happens in ways that don't make sense to us. (His ways are not our ways.)

God's viewpoint is eternal. Ours is not.

When we pray for a dear friend or family member to be healed from cancer or recover from a tragic automobile accident, it's hard to understand how a loving God who cares about us all could allow those prayers to go "unanswered." But remember, God sees things eternally. When a dear family member passes this life to eternity, God knows that they are still alive. He knows that those of us left behind will one day (although many years may pass, but eternally in only the blink of an eye) be reunited with that loved one. He also knows about the emergency technician who is lost and doesn't know Him as a personal Savior that will see this loved one and the ways his death may affect the tech's heart and life - eternally. It could be a man who abuses his wife and children or who has a secret destructive addiction, whose life is radically changed by what he sees in the faith of that family.

The possibilities are endless, but it's about the ETERNAL. And God's ultimate purpose...His glory!

Great answer!!

 

[I'm Floored]

Great answer!!

Do I win a prize?

 

[ShoeDiva]

Great answer!!

Do I win a prize?

Do not ask for a prize from BBG!!!!

 

[BeatBoxinGranny47]

Ok, one more question for the night. I have a glass of Bourbon and cigar calling my name. Do you really believe in the whole forgiveness thing? Example, I have heard news stories of someones child being murdered and the family "forgives" the one that took their childs life.

 

[Genevieve]

So, if I dont get what I pray for, its "Gods Will"?

Yes.

"Fine, but if it gods will and he's going to do whatever he wants to anyway; why bother praying in the first place? Seems like a big waste of time to me. Couldn't you just skip the praying part and get right to his will?"

Because what He wants is to perfect you, and the process of perfecting you happens in the interaction between you and Him. If you skip the contact with Him, His will cannot be done.

 

[BeatBoxinGranny47]

Great answer!!

Do I win a prize?

If I ever see you in public I will run up to you screaming "WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER" and then hug you for a creepily long time. Deal? Deal!